At least 13 people died after a private passenger bus collided with a tipper truck and caught fire in Andhra Pradesh’s Markapuram district early Thursday, authorities said.
The bus, travelling from Nirmal in neighbouring Telangana to Nellore in Andhra Pradesh, was involved in the crash at about 6 a.m. local time. The collision triggered a massive blaze that quickly engulfed both vehicles. Officials said around 35 passengers were on board; several are feared to have been burnt alive. About 20 injured passengers were admitted to hospital.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed shock and grief, ordering a probe and asking officials for a detailed report. “The tragic loss of 13 passengers, who were burnt alive in a horrific road accident near Rayavaram in Markapuram district, has caused profound shock,” he said on social media, offering condolences and pledging government support for affected families.
The office of Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced ex gratia payments of Rs 200,000 for the families of those killed and Rs 50,000 for the injured.
Local authorities are investigating the cause of the collision and the rapid spread of the fire. Last week, another private bus in Andhra Pradesh caught fire after a tyre burst in Vizianagaram district; there were no injuries in that incident. Emergency teams and police remained at the scene to assist rescue and recovery efforts and to move injured passengers to medical facilities.